VIDEO: GLORIOUS sunshine greeted thousands of walkers as they took to the streets of Warrington for the annual walking day – made extra special this year with the new look Golden Gates.
Warrington Worldwide covered the whole walk live as a special re-dedication of the restored Golden gates takes place prior to the start of the annual walk of witness involving dozens of churches and local schools. So if you walked or knew people walking there is a good chance they will appear in the video above!
The re-dedication was a rare and important occasion, with the last restoration and re-dedication taking place around 50 years ago.
To mark the special event, the family of Frederick Monks, the man who originally donated the gates to Warrington in the late 19th century, were attending the ceremony and procession.
Also in attendance was Mark Edwards, a former guilder who worked on the gates as an apprentice when they were last restored in the 1970s, and this year helped with the gates restoration as one of his last projects before retiring.
The re-dedication ceremony started at 10.25am, led by the Rector of Warrington, Rev Paul Wilson.
Rev Wilson – joined by the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Wendy Johnson – led a re-dedication prayer and blessing. The occasion was also be marked by Warrington Brass Band, who will play an original fanfare, ‘The Gates’, composed especially for the event.
It was an emotional and extra special occasion for Rev Wilson who is moving on after six very happy years as Rector of Warrington. Check out the video above for an interview with Paul, the Mayor, Cllr Wendy Johnson and Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid.
The unveiling of the restored Golden Gates – Picture Paul Jackson
The new look Golden Gates
CLICK HERE for a gallery of nearly 80 photographs from Warrington Walking Day
1 Comment
Pingback: Warrington Walking Day is back!